Back in December I visited Washington D.C. thanks to the generosity of my Aunt Rose and Uncle Jason. Our last day in the city started with a trip to
The Folger Shakespeare Library
Krystal and I enjoy Shakespeare immensely. Her favorite play is either Comedy of Errors or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the latter of which we’ve seen over 20 different productions. My own favorites are Hamlet, Macbeth, and Titus Andronicus. The docent at the front desk looked shocked when I told her this, and asked if my wife new of my Titus proclivity.
The Folger had been on my “must visit” DC list, but I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to go. I’m so glad we did! When we visited, the Library was just wrapping up their exhibit on Shakespeare 400 – the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Since January, they’d sent 18 First Folios out into the world to be seen and enjoyed around the country. In my own state of North Carolina, the State Museum staged a Shakespeare Reading Marathon, where the Bard’s works were read nonstop. Those on the night shift wore pajamas!
By this point the Folios were coming home and the Folger had other Folios on display. There are 18 plays found only in the First Folio, and the Library had each Folio on display open to one of those plays. Somehow I missed taking pictures of Macbeth, Cymbelline, and Timon of Athens. How did that happen?!?
The tour of the library was fun and informative, and we were able to sit in on an early rehearsal of a play (As You Like It?) which just had their soft opening this last week.
After visiting the gift shop, where I picked up a book on the collecting and building of the Folger and a bar of Lady Macbeth’s Hand Soap (featuring such slogans as “Use it in the Mcbath” and “Out, damned spot!”), we headed to . . .
Arlington National Cemetery
I didn’t take many photographs – it is hallowed ground, after all – but I did take a few. We saw the changing of the guard, too.
Our trip now complete, we got on the highway and headed home. It was a wonderful trip 🙂
Time Jump:
All photographs taken using the Manual app on an iPhone 5c and edited in Afterlight.
Running In My Head 
My favourite Shakespeare play is Macbeth which I saw recently at Stratford Festival, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, one of my favourite vacation spots: 5 plays in 3 days! You should visit — you and your wife would love it.
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It sounds wonderful!
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Oh, I have to go to that library!
My dad picked cotton as a child and went to a one room school house where he was taught Shakespeare. He passed that love on to me – we would go to any local university/city production that was free. One of my favorites was in Williamsburg with the James River as a backdrop.
Shakespeare is so timely and universal – something for everyone
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Yes, do go if ever you can!
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